feel

play

verb \ ˈfēl \

Definition of feel

felt play \ˈfelt\; feeling

transitive verb

1 a :to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.

b :to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.

2 a :to undergo passive experience of

continually felt the resentment of his competitors

b :to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by

felt the insult deeply

3 :to ascertain by cautious trial —usually used with out

feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements

4 a :to be aware of by instinct or inference

feel trouble brewing

b :believe, think

say what you really feel

intransitive verb

1 a :to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

lost the ability to feel in his fingertips

b :to search for something by using the sense of touch

She felt in her purse for her keys.

2 a :to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition

I feel sick.

b :to have a marked sentiment or opinion

feels strongly about it

3 :seem

it feels like spring today

4 :to have sympathy or pity

I feel for you

— feel like

:to have an inclination for

feel like a walk?

See feel defined for English-language learners

See feel defined for kids

Examples of feel in a Sentence

He felt a sudden pain in his leg.
I could feel the warmth of the sun.
I felt someone tap my shoulder.
Do you feel a draft?
She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.
Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones.

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

But virtual reality (VR) can trick the cerebral cortex into actually experiencing being chased by a dinosaur or feeling the emotional despair of life in a refugee camp.

— jay samit, Fortune, "These Virtual Field Trips Allow Students to Travel Across Time and Space," 29 Aug. 2017
The tomatoes should be starting to soften and burst, and the meatballs should look opaque and feel a bit springy to the touch.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs with Tomatoes and Chickpeas," 29 Aug. 2017
Far from being an anti-immigration measure, the bill would put immigration on a sounder footing in an age when offshoring and automation are starting to transform our economy, and low-wage, less-skilled workers feel more vulnerable than ever.

— reihan salam, National Review, "The Case for Skills-Based Immigration," 28 Aug. 2017
Both parties feel misunderstood and underappreciated.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Being rejected doesn’t mean you’re ‘not good enough’," 28 Aug. 2017
The space felt like a hangar, and the silver design stations stood in orderly rows.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Reflections of an Accidental Florist," 28 Aug. 2017
To many observers, the resurfacing of these ideas of innate superiority feels like a step backward in time, and in America’s social journey.

— harry bruinius, The Christian Science Monitor, "Meritocracy and the history of the science of biological differences," 26 Aug. 2017
While testing out the model, the research team, led by Mario Sucerquia, noticed that a Saturn-style planet that close to a star would be feeling the immense tug of gravity.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "New Theory for "Alien Megastructure": A Planet Like Saturn, But Close To The Sun," 25 Aug. 2017
But saying yes to my kids, and experiencing their exuberance that came along with it, felt really damn good.

— kate spencer, Cosmopolitan, "I Said Yes to My Kids for a Week," 25 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'feel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of feel

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

perceive, scent, see, sense, smell, taste

Related Words

behold, descry, discern, distinguish, espy, eye, look (at), note, notice, observe, perceive, regard, remark, sight, spy, view, witness; ascertain, catch on (to), discover, find out, hear, learn, realize; anticipate, divine, expect, foreknow, foresee; assume, conjecture, guess, presume, speculate, suppose, surmise, suspect

Near Antonyms

distrust, doubt, mistrust, question, suspect; disbelieve, discredit, reject

feel

noun

Definition of feel

1 :sensation, feeling

2 :the sense of touch

3 a :the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch

b :typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere; also :an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere

4 :intuitive knowledge or ability

See feel defined for English-language learners

Examples of feel in a Sentence

the feel of old leather
Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique.
He liked the feel of the sun on his face.

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

The roof was designed to capture the feel of a breaking wave with large metal signage on three sides of the building.

— allison sampite-montecalvo, sandiegouniontribune.com, "I.B. library nominated for local architectural awards," 29 Aug. 2017
To keep both participants and investigators unaware of the treatment given, the coil looks identical on both sides but one side replicates the sound and feel of rTMS without inducing magnetic fields.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "Brain-altering magnetic pulses could zap cocaine addiction," 29 Aug. 2017
The venue is big enough to accommodate crowds, while keeping the feel of an intimate show.

— birmingham magazine, AL.com, "See the winners of 2017 Best of Birmingham," 28 Aug. 2017
But the point is not only the feel of these sounds.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "The Classic-Rock Ecstasy of The War on Drugs," 23 Aug. 2017
Tru takes the feel of the college dorms—small rooms, big social spaces, minimalist furniture, and dry erase boards—and updates it for grown-ups.

— matt meltzer, CNT, "How Tru by Hilton Is Trying to Win Over Millennials," 23 Aug. 2017
Instead, the place evokes an older, more traditional feel: That of the Victorian boardwalk.

— charles c. w. cooke, National Review, "Magnificent Thrill Machines," 16 Aug. 2017
Emerging Musicians Mondays offers 20-minute sets, to give the musicians the feel of playing live in front of an audience.

— kim campos, Ramona Sentinel, "Review: Carnevales add live music to D’Carlos’ menu," 10 Aug. 2017
Take in the sleek feel of this modern steakhouse in an historic New Albany setting.

— The Courier-Journal, "Date Night Steak Night," 25 July 2017

Origin and Etymology of feel

see ¹feel

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

sensation, feeling, sense

Related Words

impression, perception; hint, suggestion, touch

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

FEEL Defined for English Language Learners

feel

play

verb

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

: to be aware of (something that affects you physically, such as pain, heat, or an object touching your body)
: to touch (something) with your fingers to see what it is like
: to find (something) by touching with your fingers

feel

noun

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

: the quality of a thing that is experienced by touching it
: a particular quality
: an understanding of something

FEEL Defined for Kids

feel

play

verb \ ˈfēl \

Definition of feel for Students

felt \ˈfelt\; feeling

1 :to be aware of through physical contact

feel cold

2 :to examine or search for by touching

The doctor felt for broken bones.

3 :to be conscious of

He felt a fear of the dark.

4 :to seem especially to the touch

This cloth feels like silk.

5 :to sense a physical, mental, or emotional state

felt sick

felt confused and angry

6 :to have sympathy

I feel for you.

7 :believe 4, think

Say what you feel.

— feel like

:to have an urge or desire to

Do you feel like taking a walk?

feel

noun

Definition of feel for Students

1 :sensation 2, feeling

He likes the feel of the sun on his skin.

2 :the quality of something as learned through or as if through touch

The sweater had a scratchy feel to it.

Medical Dictionary

feel

play

verb \ ˈfē(ə)l \

medical Definition of feel

felt play \ˈfelt\; feeling

transitive verb

1 :to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality

felt the compress to see if it was wet

2 :to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1 :to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation

2 :to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

noun

medical Definition of feel

1 :the sense of touch

2 :sensation, feeling

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Near Antonyms

feel

Definition of feel

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of feel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of feel

feel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Psychology Terms

FEEL Defined for English Language Learners

feel

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

feel

Definition of feel for English Language Learners

FEEL Defined for Kids

feel

Definition of feel for Students

feel

Definition of feel for Students

Medical Dictionary

feel

medical Definition of feel

feel

medical Definition of feel

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